THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1922 COUNCIL DELIBERATIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4426, 12 June 1922, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1922 COUNCIL DELIBERATIONS.

The question of the brick area in Paeroa has been the means of a great deal of controversy from time to time and much has been said both in favour of it and otherwise. Some years ago, after several destructive fires had taken place in the 8 main street, it was felt that the town would be very much safer with a brick area. The matter was thrashed out at length at several meetings of the Council, and it was deemed by it to be a distinct advantage to the town, and by-laws were Rassed accordingly. Later came the heavy rise in the price of cement, and more particularly bricks and steel. These materials not only hardened in price, but for some time cement was only procurable in small quantities, and on a building permit from the Government. This all made building expensive, so much so that, but few buildings were erected in the town, and only a few shops were remodelled. This state of stagnation lasted for quite a long time. In consequence of agitation for a partial suspension of the by-laws relating to the brick area the Council determined to give it a trial. It is over ten months since the Council brought in what is known as “a policy measure,” and although plans have been passed for a number of new buildings, only one has so far been erected under the temporary, or amended, scheme. With the approach of the first portion of the sewerage and drainage works nearing completion, the Council finds that a new by-law is required to deal with this matter, and as there are several amendments required in the old by-laws it was thought by the Mayor to be a good time to consolidate the whole of the by-laws. With this object in view he asked his council to give an expression of opinion regarding the brick area, and it seems to us to be an unfortunate occurrence that Cr. Edwards should have so lost his usual good judgment as to have charged the Mayor with trying to do an unfair action. If Cr. Edwards had taken the Council into his confidence and told it that he knew of an application coni’ng forth, and on that account asked the Council to support it, he may then have had some excuse. The Mayor’s action in withdrawing his proposition and stating that he would declare the policy measure to be at an end in seven days was, perhaps, a little hasty, but under the direct charge that was made it was quite excusable. We trust that matters concerning the borough will in future be fought out in a cool manner, so that the best results will be achieved. Hasty decisions on matters affecting our by-laws should under no consideration he tolerated.